Learner Autonomy and Some Selected Correlates among Adult Distance Learners in Malaysia

Studies have indicated that the lack of self-regulated learning skills, or the inability to function autonomously may lead to adults dropping out of courses, failing to enroll in subsequent courses, and overall dissatisfaction with learning in distance courses (Calvin, 2005; Hisham, 2004; Zimmerman, 2001). Confessore, (1992) asserts that success is ultimately dependent upon the individual’s personal characteristics that define learner autonomy which lie in the psychological paradigm of individuals. This study examined to what extent distance learners in Malaysia are autonomous by investigating learner autonomy level among distance learners undertaking learning in the distance learning environments. Adult learners come from different background, skills and experiences and thus, may contribute to the different approaches and attitude towards learning. The adult learners’ diversified background in terms of their learning styles, perception towards learning environment, computer technology experiences and English language proficiency may influence their learner autonomy or intentions to participate actively and productively in a learning process. Thus, this study also examined whether these variables predicted the adult learners’ learner autonomy. A stratified structured sampling was used to select 370 adult distance learners of three universities in Malaysia which offered distance learning program. Data was gathered using self-administered questionnaires. Two hundred and forty nine distance learners or 69% of them completed and returned the survey questionnaires in this study. The results of the descriptive analyses revealed that distance learners in Malaysia showed a relatively low level of learner autonomy in their intention to participate in learning. Using Pearson’s correlation analysis, the study found significant correlations of learning styles, perceived learning environment, computer technology experience and English language proficiency to the learner autonomy profile (LAP) scores. Chi-square test of independence revealed that the higher the learner autonomy scores, the more learning styles were being utilized in learning. The distance learners perceived that environmental supports such as personal relevance in the course structure, instructor support and satisfaction enhanced learner autonomy. In similar vein, distance learners also indicated the importance of computer technology experiences and English language proficiency. Both variables showed moderate correlation with distance learners' intentions to participate actively in their learning. The Multiple Regression analysis revealed that the number of learning styles, perceived learning environment and computer technology experience showed statistically predictive of learner autonomy or distance learners’ intention to participate. However, English language proficiency was not included as a significant predictor of learner autonomy. The overall regression model was successful in explaining approximately 39.7% of the adjusted variance in learner autonomy. The model proposed is considered a good model as the results demonstrated that the overall scores of the three predictors show statistically significant in contributing to the variance of the criterion variable. All the hypotheses in the study were supported. The results of this study provided a number of theoretical and practical implications on the learner autonomy among distance learners in Malaysia. Recommendations were suggested to facilitate higher learner autonomy among distance learners. The need for further research on the learner autonomy was also highlighted

Occupational Stress among the Information Technology (IT) Professionals in Selected Companies in the Klang Valley

Stress in the workplace is becoming the most common complaint of the late 20th century employee. It is a costly, pervasive phenomenon in work organizations and many studies have been carried out in the west to investigate this area of human concern. The objective of this study is to examine the occupational stress level of the IT professionals in selected companies an d factors that cause occupational stress among them. It was hypothesize d that there were significant differences between occupational stress level and the demographic variables of the IT professionals. The demographic variables involved were 1) age, 2) sex, 3) education background, 4) work department, and 5) annual gross salary. The population in this study consists of the IT professionals from 5 companies in the Klang Valley. Questionnaires using six-point Likert-type scales were used to measure the variables. The data collected were analysed using the SPSS. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic profile of samples. Independent t-tests were employed to compare the significant differences in the level of occupational stress for gender. The ANOVA was used for hypotheses testing the significance differences in the level of occupational stress for other demographic variables

Large-scale Application of the condom catheter method for Non-invasive Urodynamics in a Longitudinal Study of Changes in Bladder Contractllity Secondary to Benign Prostatic Enlargement

In a longitudinaal study the changes of bladder muscle contracticity in response to increasing obstruction of the lower urinary tract caused by prostatic enlargement were studies using non-invasive urodynamics

Urban Revitalization through Art, Community, and Ecology: The Heidelberg Project

Once known as the Motor City, Detroit is now rusted over with 90,000 vacant parcels and a 22% unemployment rate. Decline of manufacturing jobs, combined with a complex history of racism and discrimination, led to unprecedented population collapse and abandonment. The 2010 census revealed the dramatic exodus from Detroit was even greater than predicted: just over 713,000 residents remain, down from nearly 2 million in 1950. Leftover stretches of vacant land, totaling more than 40 square miles, pose an enormous physical and psychological challenge to residents and city officials forced to manage with what remains. Despite the challenges of vacant land, disenfranchisement, and economic hardship, many still see beauty in what’s left of the city. Twenty-five years ago, Detroit-native Tyree Guyton created the Heidelberg Project, a two-block long environmental artscape on the city’s eastside. The artwork became a beacon for his neighborhood and others like it, defiantly resisting the destruction wrought by neglect and disinvestment. The research and design presented in this document expands the scope of the Heidelberg Project into a long-term vision for neighborhood redevelopment called the Heidelberg Cultural Village. This project lays the groundwork for the Cultural Village, a model for art-based neighborhood redevelopment in Detroit and other post-industrial cities. The work is presented in four chapters: Christian Runge examines how the Heidelberg Cultural Village can be integrated with emerging ecological and cultural land uses specific to a post urban Detroit. Fai Foen’s work focuses on an alternative economic model that invests in the local economy and builds on existing human capacity to support sustainable redevelopment in Rustbelt communities. Sarah Alward explores how an art-based urban farm can allow for a diverse range of contributions from community members, creating an inclusive space to grow fresh, healthy food that has the potential to increase neighborhood investment and involvement. Finally, Dana Petit illustrates how a healing garden can respond to the social, psychological, and physical health issues stemming from the McDougall-Hunt neighborhood’s experience with abandonment and poverty. Together, these design interventions are intended to serve as an incubator for physical, economic, and cultural sustainability and the center of community life for the McDougall-Hunt neighborhood.Master of Landscape ArchitectureNatural Resources and EnvironmentUniversity of Michiganhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/84207/1/Heidelberg Opus 2011.pd

Epidemiological aspects of recruitment of male volunteers for non-invasive urodynamics

Introduction: We studied epidemiological aspects of recruitment of volunteers for a non-invasive urodynamic study. Materials and Methods: 9,236 volunteers were invited by 20 general practitioners (GPs), using two different recruitment methods, i.e. by mail only, or during a subsequent visit to the GP's office. Factors influencing the response rates were analyzed. We also tested how much the recruited population of volunteers differed from the general population, by comparing it to another, proven representative study carried out earlier in 1,662 subjects. Results: In the recruited population the prostate volumes were not significantly different from the proven representative study, but the symptom score was statistically significantly higher, although the difference was so small it may be called clinically irrelevant. Recruitment of volunteers in two steps, i.e. asking them first to visit the GP's office, and inviting them there to visit the outpatient clinic, rather than directly inviting them (in writing) to the clinic seemed to lead to a higher response, although this effect could not be statistically discriminated from the difference in response rates between GPs. Conclusion: The population recruited was not urologically different from the general population. The response depended on age, being highest around the age of 60, and increased with social economic status. It also depended on the GP who recruited the subjects, and/or on the recruitment method. Copyrigh

Increased postvoid residual volume after measuring the isovolumetric bladder pressure using the noninvasive condom catheter method

OBJECTIVE: To test, in an ongoing noninvasive longitudinal study in healthy men, whether the condom catheter method (a noninvasive urodynamic test to assess bladder function and bladder outlet obstruction) inhibits bladder function and whether this affects the reliability of the measured isovolumetric bladder pressure (P(ves.iso)). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Subjects (754, aged 40-79 years) voided three times, i.e. one free void and two condom measurements. The postvoid residual volume (PVR) was measured after each void using transabdominal ultrasonography. The statistical significance of differences was tested using Wilcoxon rank test and the Mann-Whitney U-test. RESULTS: After free voiding the median (interquartile range) PVR was 18 (37) mL, and independent of the amount of fluid intake. In a subgroup of volunteers, when the free void was done last, the PVR was no different (P = 0.25), suggesting that the bladder did not become exhausted during the protocol. The PVR after two subsequent condom measurements was significantly higher than after free voiding, at 45 (78) and 57 (88) (both P < 0.05), independent of the number of interruptions in voiding. After supplementary fluid intake before the condom measurements, the PVR was double that with a normal fluid intake (P = 0.03). The median P(ves.iso) was 3 cmH(2)O higher in the second condom measurement than in the first (P < 0.05), although this small difference was not clinically relevant. CONCLUSIONS: The condom measurement is associated with a significantly higher PVR, partly caused by supplementary fluid intake. This effect was only temporary and did not affect the measured P(ves.iso)

Correlations between the Various Methods of Estimating Prostate Volume: Transabdominal, Transrectal, and Three-Dimensional US

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlations between prostate volumes estimated by transabdominal, transrectal, and three-dimensional US and the factors affecting the differences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prostate volumes of 94 consecutive patients were measured by both transabdominal and transrectal US. Next, the prostate volumes of 58 other patients was measured by both transrectal and three-dimensional US. We evaluated the degree of correlation and mean difference in each comparison. We also analyzed possible factors affecting the differences, such as the experiences of examiners in transrectal US, bladder volume, and prostate volume. RESULTS: In the comparison of transabdominal and transrectal US methods, the mean difference was 8.4 +/- 10.5 mL and correlation coefficient (r) was 0.775 (p 0.05). The comparison between the transrectal and three-dimensional US methods revealed a mean difference of 3.7 +/- 3.4 mL and the correlation coefficient was 0.924 for the experienced examiner. Furthermore, no significant difference existed between examiners (p > 0.05). Prostate volume measured by transrectal US showed a positive correlation with the difference for the beginner only (r = 0.405, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In the prostate volume estimation by US, experience in transrectal US is important in the correlation with transabdominal US, but not with three-dimensional US. Also, less experienced examiners' assessment of the prostate volume can be affected by prostate volume itself